St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney Tom Daley officially withdrew from the D.A.’s runoff election Monday, making election challenger Bridget Dinvaut the next District Attorney, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office.

In an announcement to the community via his Facebook page Friday evening, Daley said he received bad news concerning his health.

“My doctor has recommended I limit my extracurricular activities and withdraw from the race,” he wrote on Facebook. “He advised me that due to the stress, my cancer has reactivated and if re-elected it is unlikely that I would be able to complete another six year term.”

The District Attorney’s race was whittled down to incumbent Daley and Dinvaut last week, and St. John voters were to decide the winner Dec. 6 in the state’s general election. That will not be the case now.

Previously, the seat was sought by three qualifiers — Daley, Dinvaut and Democrat Geri Baloney of LaPlace. Daley won 46.26 percent of the vote Nov. 11, securing 7,029 ballots. Dinvaut received 34.31 percent of votes, with 5,213 ballots cast her way.

Baloney received 19.44 percent of votes cast, which equaled 2,954 ballots.

Daley told L’OBSERVATEUR Monday morning he has received lots of response based on his Facebook page announcement.

“I’m not a Facebook person, so my daughter and some of my staff members have kept me abreast of it,” he said. “I have received positive support and concern from the community in St. John, both in prayers and well wishes. I appreciate that, especially the prayers.

“(My election withdrawal) is based on very, very direct advice of my neurosurgeon, who told me my cancer is reactivated and that the stress and anxiety of the campaign is not helping it.”